A public resource guide
Philadelphia Streets Department collects mattresses and box springs as part of regular curbside trash pickup — no separate scheduling needed for standard mattress disposal. This guide covers every option.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
This is a public resource guide for Philadelphia residents. Below: the free city options, donation programs, state recycling law, and paid options when free won’t work for your situation.
On this page
The fastest free path for most residents is the City’s own bulk collection program.
Philadelphia Streets Department curbside trash collection
FreeEligibility: Single-family and small multifamily addresses with City sanitation service.
How to schedule: No scheduling needed. Mattresses placed at curb on your normal trash collection day. Verify your trash day at phila.gov.
Set-out: Place at curb after 7:00 PM the night before your trash day. Do not block the sidewalk or fire hydrants.
Cost: Free for residential customers.
Mattress wrapping requirement
RequiredPhiladelphia requires mattresses and box springs to be wrapped in plastic for bedbug prevention. Plastic mattress bags are available at hardware stores and bedding retailers.
Sanitation Convenience Centers: Philadelphia operates 6 Sanitation Convenience Centers (one in each of 6 city sections) where residents can drop off bulky items including mattresses for free with proof of Philadelphia residency.
Bedbug wrapping enforcement: Philadelphia Streets crews may decline to collect unwrapped mattresses with visible bedbug evidence. Wrapping in plastic protects sanitation workers and other residents.
Buildings with 6+ units: Larger residential buildings are typically served by private waste haulers. Contact building management for the property's mattress disposal process.
For complete Philadelphia bulk waste rules beyond mattresses, see our Philadelphia junk removal guide.
If your mattress is still in good condition — no significant stains, no bedbug history, less than ~7 years old — donation is the best path. Most programs offer free pickup.
Philadelphia donation programs
Free for usable itemsHabitat for Humanity Philadelphia ReStore: Free pickup for furniture, appliances, and building materials.
Salvation Army Philadelphia: 1-800-SA-TRUCK or satruck.org.
Goodwill Industries Philadelphia: Multiple Philadelphia drop-off locations.
Philabundance, Sunday Breakfast Mission, Project HOME: Local nonprofits sometimes accept usable bedding for transitional housing.
What donation programs typically accept: Clean mattresses without significant tears or stains, no bedbug history, less than ~7 years old. Box springs are usually accepted with the same condition standards. Bed frames in working condition with all hardware.
What’s typically NOT accepted: Mattresses with bedbug history or visible insect activity, significant stains, mold, structural damage, or significantly worn condition. Always call ahead to confirm the program’s current standards.
Pennsylvania does NOT have a statewide mattress recycling program. Mattresses collected curbside are typically landfilled. Limited private recycling options in Philadelphia — some non-profit programs accept usable mattresses for refurbishment.
Free options work for most Philadelphia residents, but some situations need paid pickup: you’re moving out and can’t wait for the next scheduled bulk week; your apartment building doesn’t have free bulk service; you need in-home loading (mattress comes out of the bedroom, not the curb); or you’re disposing of multiple items at once and want it handled in a single trip.
LoadUp paid mattress pickup
$80+LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in Philadelphia for upfront-priced mattress, box spring, and bed frame pickup. In-home loading included — you don’t carry the mattress to the curb.
What’s included: Loading from inside the home, hauling, and licensed disposal. No prep required beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80+ for a single mattress. Box spring + mattress + bed frame as a bundle is typically less than the sum of individual prices.
Other paid services: 1-800-Got-Junk, College Hunks Hauling Junk, and local Philadelphia haulers serve the area.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. 100% of round-ups fund subsidized pickups at standard market rates.
Book a Philadelphia mattress pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Box springs: Almost always handled the same as mattresses by city bulk programs and donation organizations. The state recycling laws above generally cover both mattresses AND box springs. Wrap requirements (where they exist) apply to box springs too.
Bed frames: Treated as regular bulky furniture, not mattresses. Most curbside bulky programs accept bed frames separately. Wood frames go to landfill or wood recycling. Metal frames are recyclable as scrap metal — if you have access to a scrap yard, they may pay you for the metal. Donation programs accept working bed frames with all hardware.
Headboards and footboards: Same as bed frames — bulky furniture, not mattresses. Donate if usable; place with bulky pickup if not.
Adjustable bed bases (motorized): Usually NOT accepted in standard mattress recycling because of the electronics and mechanics. Check if your retailer offers haul-away with new purchase. Otherwise, paid pickup is typical.
Is mattress removal really free in Philadelphia?
Yes, the city offers free curbside or scheduled bulk pickup for mattresses, box springs, and bed frames through Philadelphia Streets Department curbside trash collection. Single-family and small multifamily addresses with City sanitation service. Free options work for most residents. Paid pickup is only needed in specific situations like apartment buildings without free bulk service, mid-move scheduling that can't wait, or in-home loading requirements.
How do I schedule a free mattress pickup in Philadelphia?
No scheduling needed. Mattresses placed at curb on your normal trash collection day. Verify your trash day at https://www.phila.gov/services/trash-recycling-city-upkeep/find-your-trash-collection-day/ (phila.gov).
Do mattresses have to be wrapped in plastic before pickup?
Yes. Philadelphia requires mattresses and box springs to be wrapped in plastic for bedbug prevention. Plastic mattress bags are available at hardware stores and bedding retailers.
Can I donate a used mattress instead of throwing it away?
Yes, if the mattress is in good condition. Philadelphia-area programs that accept usable mattress donations include Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia ReStore, Salvation Army Philadelphia, Goodwill Industries Philadelphia, among others listed above. They typically require no significant stains, no bedbug history, and less than ~7 years old. Call ahead to confirm the program's current standards before scheduling pickup. Donation is the most sustainable path for mattresses still in usable condition.
Does PA have a free mattress recycling program?
Pennsylvania does NOT have a statewide mattress recycling program. Mattresses collected curbside are typically landfilled. Limited private recycling options in Philadelphia — some non-profit programs accept usable mattresses for refurbishment.
What about box springs and bed frames?
Box springs are handled the same as mattresses by Philadelphia bulk programs and most donation organizations. The same set-out rules and wrap requirements (if any) apply to both. Bed frames are treated as regular bulky furniture rather than mattresses -- they're usually accepted in bulky pickup but may be in a separate disposal stream from the mattress itself. Metal bed frames can be recycled as scrap metal, sometimes for a small payment at scrap yards. Adjustable bed bases (motorized) are usually NOT accepted in standard mattress disposal -- they need retailer haul-away or paid pickup.
My building uses a private hauler. Can I still use city pickup?
Probably not for the building itself. Most apartment buildings and condos in Philadelphia with 5+ units use private waste haulers under contract. The free city bulk program is for single-family and small multifamily addresses with direct City service. Contact your property manager for the building's mattress disposal process -- most properties have either an on-site bulky disposal arrangement or a coordinated pickup with the building's hauler. You may also be able to use a paid junk removal service that picks up directly from your unit.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, please contact us.